Pirated Products a Concern to many Wedding Business Owners

Posted on June 7, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

The response to a new organization promising to protect, defend and uphold the rights of wedding business owners grows stronger with every mention of the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association. The concept for the organization originally started because of the rampant abuses experienced in the bridal dress business. But an ongoing eWedNewz investigation shows the mission of the new organization is to bring relief, benefits and services to the entire wedding industry at large.

 

Camille Thomas, owner of Illusions Bridal Veils, says she’s been trying fight off online pirates on her own for years. Thomas says she welcomes the help that’s on its way.

An eWedNewz story in March, 2012, listed suspected websites that pirate merchandise, images or both, hurting legitimate businesses. Many reports from business owners say they’ve tried to fight off the abusive practices on their own but to no avail.

Camille Thomas, owner of  Illusions Bridal Veils in Fruita, Colorado responded to the eWedNewz story saying;

“I own Illusions Bridal Veils and these businesses have stolen my pictures as well as many of the other websites listed above.  Very frustrating because this hurts my business and all of my customers business.  I have been trying to get all of these types of sites to remove my pictures for almost 2 years.  Most of them don’t care so the pictures remain.  I went to great expense to take new pictures last year and I am sure it won’t be long until they steal those too,” said Camille.

An ongoing eWedNewz poll shows business owner support an organization that would help them fight off piracy. Steve Lang, the driving force behind the campaign and new organization, told eWedNewz he envisions an organization that would do much more.

“Of course we would fight against piracy; but the industry needs much more than just that. They need valuable information and tools to operate in today’s new business environment.”

According to Lang the bylaws and structure of the organization forms a cohesive way for members and supporters to work together and accomplish what the fragmented wedding business will never achieve on its own. Pooled resources and proper legal guidance are part of the organization, guided by leadership from successful business people like Lang.

Camille Thomas added her support for Lang and what he’s doing for the industry;

“I was so happy to see that Steve Lang has started to fight back against the chinese businesses who are killing our wedding industry.  They have absolutely no regard for laws or the fact that they are stealing other people’s images to sell their own merchandise.  It is impossible for my customers to compete with these businesses when they are selling the same merchandise for next to nothing.  This issue has been the main problem in my business for the past couple years and I will gladly stand behind anyone who has the knowledge and resources to fight this,” Camille told eWedNewz.

The American Bridal and Prom Industry Association has over a half million dollars in cash and media commitments to fund the campaign and organization. According to Lang, the legal team has not accessed any of the money in the coffer; they’ve used their own time and resources and those of Mon Cheri to bootstrap the launch.

The ABPIA meets today to ratify board members, finalize bylaws and other matters including a website to share information with its members.

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, Current Events, DJ Disc Jockeys, eWedNewz, Florists, General News, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Photography, Poll, Promotions, Proms, retail, Social Media, The Groom, The Internet, Trade shows, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , ,

American Bridal and Prom Industry Association Board Meeting Set for Tommorrow

Posted on June 6, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned the first meeting of the board for the American Bridal and Prom Association is set for tomorrow, Thursday, June 7th, to discuss how the wedding industry can unify under a single organization and create meaningful benefits for the business. eWedNewz broke the newZ last week to a business in serious trouble ranging from marriages falling out of favor to pirated materials over the internet and everything in between.

The board of the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association meets tomorrow, while the wedding industry waits to hear of the benefits of membership.

 

The board meeting is confirmed for June 7, 2012 @ 3:00 p.m. EST, according to sources familiar with the story. Newz of the formation of the organization was top newZ last week.

According to sources the plan is to consolidate and eventually replace product specific organizations that no longer have the support of their business category. Redundancy and lack of interest is often cited as the main reason for failure. The new idea is to give members a reason to participate that includes strength in numbers, pooling resources and negotiate better prices for products that everyone in business uses. Healthcare is the number-one interest to small business owners in the wedding industry.

eWedNewz also learned a member of the Knot will not be include on the board due to a reported conflict.

In an ongoing eWedNewz poll wedding industry  members want a well-run organization that offers benefits of membership and isn’t costly to join.

Take the poll

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, eWedNewz, Ongoing Story Coverage, wedding industry, Wedding Industry Events Tagged: , , , , ,

American Bridal and Prom Industry Association gets ready to Launch

Posted on May 30, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned of a new association of wedding industry manufacturers and retailers that will include all segments of the business. The organization is the result of a raging war against off-shore sources poaching American consumers and disrupting the wedding gown business.

eWedNewz has learned the support for the new organization garnered in a relatively short time  led to the expansion beyond the dress business. Plans to roll out and run the organization begins this week, as the board assembles to discuss details.

 

Will the IBMA be replaced by the ABPIA?

 

According to sources familiar with the story the board will include Bob Cahoon of Maggie Sottero  and other notable wedding industry members, including decision-makers from the Knot. Retailers for the board are also being considered and finalized at the first meeting this month.

The head of the group, Steve Lang, confirmed the launch and promised a more in-depth interview when all the facts are assembled. eWedNewz readers want to know what happened to the extensive coverage surrounding the war on Chinese websites that began back in March.

“You won’t be disappointed by waiting a week to get all the details, after we work them out at our meeting,” said Lang in an email exchange.

Since returning from a trip to China, visiting 27 factories that make products for Mon Cheri the flow of information was halted. Lang came under criticism by other manufacturers trying to launch their own offensive campaigns against piracy. But with the newZ of the new organization and a war chest of over a half-million dollars, evenly split between hard cash and media commitment value, sources feel all the other attempts will be consolidated under the new organization.

In past discussions Lang told eWedNewz he is disappointed in the IBMA’s lack of performance since its relaunch in late 2011. Since the start Lang told eWN he envisioned a broader wedding industry organization that could include benefits of membership to all segments of the business, not just dresses.

What do you think?

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, catering, Florists, General News, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Ongoing Story Coverage, Photography, Poll, Promotions, Proms, retail, Social Media, The Groom, The Internet, The Knot, Travel, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , ,

Who are Consumers going to Believe?

Posted on April 11, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

By Paul Pannone

In a developing eWedNewz story American businesses find themselves under attack by foreign countries that see the United States as an untapped market and can easily push their way to the forefront with little or no real challenge. For years American companies poured resources into foreign countries, built factories and taught their “partners” how to produce a better product. As long as the orders kept growing there was no need to change what was working. But now with the economy struggling oversea partners are turning against American companies, becoming their competitors.

 

Are American consumers aiding and abetting foreign companies by buying their goods? Back in the day that was treason. Today it’s globalization.

 

In our investigation cumbersome laws and restrictions that exist make it difficult to fight back, while laws that do not exist make it simple for foreigners to poach consumers that also find themselves in financial hardship.

Under an anonymity agreement sources quietly say it’s a losing battle. One wedding industry source explains what they feel are the consequences that will ultimately happen;

“What some of the (wedding) industry people are saying and doing sounds good but really they face an uphill battle. Foreigners know the system and are able to use it against us. They bank on our stupidity; and how we will react slowly– if at all. While we’re trying to collect hundreds-of-thousands, they are spending millions– to take our country away from us,” it’s reported.

Sources familiar with the story say the statements are probably right but to simply give up isn’t an option. Most point out everyone wants cheaper prices and better quality. It makes no difference if it’s an American company that provides the goods or a foreign one. But is this true?

Not according to a recent CBS story about Apple, one of the best companies in history.

 “The product not only has to be good, but they have to feel good about buying the product.”

eWedNewz discussed the situation with several Wedding Water Cooler members that posed more questions than they could answer. Most said they believe Apple users would rather believe the makers of the products earn a living wage and are fairly treated by employers– but none really thinks they do.

“If you believe that, I have a few bridges in New York Harbor I can sell. Most Americans worry more about what their favorite sports team is doing than any of this,” said one source.

Discussions boiled down to cheaper prices at any cost. 

eWedNewz is watching several developing stories and posts done half-heartedly where the author of the post uses information from a consumer that lends a greater argument for cutting out American companies and deal directly with an offshore manufacturer.

According to eWedNewz sources consumers are suspicious of American manufacturers they think are overcharging for products. Many see off-shore companies as saviors, bringing down pricing while forcing American companies to lower their prices. Who do you believe?

 

 

Feel free to ask questions, give your thoughts and take the poll.

 

 

 eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , ,

Lang to get Chinese Pirate Website Issues to Political Figures

Posted on March 27, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

Steve Lang continues to roll with his campaign to fight off web pirates, regardless of attempted side tracks and distractions from other industry figures. Lang was in Chicago this week speaking to supporters, collecting funding for the fight and providing valuable insight to an industry. Because of Lang’s efforts the wedding dress business has a clear, concise path towards success.

Steve Lang and a growing number of wedding industry members are pledging dollars, time and writing to political representatives to fight off foreign powers. Are you doing your part?

 

In an eWedNewz exclusive Lang said;

“My legal team came here on their own dime to listen to us as an industry and figure out the best– most cost-effective way– to find solutions to our problems. I am very encouraged with the progress we’ve made in a very short amount of time. I will continue on the path we’re on.”

The statement disproved allegations of Lang’s approach as costly by detractors. Lang declined to comment on the recent statements made by critic, Larry Warshaw. Lang told eWedNewz funds collected and pledged nears $100,000 dollars with more coming in all the time.

Through discussions eWedNewz has learned of two major websites that together shipped nearly 500,000 units into the United States. Light In The Box and DH Gate together could be shipping upwards of 7-8% of the total volume of dresses to the United States.

Pleas for help come from Lang and several other sources in the business, urging to write congressmen to help the wedding industry. According to Lang stores and manufacturers can get involved by writing to their congressman and senators about the counterfeiting and to copy senators Ron Wyden and Bob Menendez on the bottom of their letters. Wyden and Menendez sit on the  House Finance committee and their department funds US Customs. They also already have counterfeiting initiatives started.

Thanks to supports of Lang’s campaign the following information is available to you;


Letter to Your Government Officials about Counterfeit Websites

Find their contact info on these websites:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Governors.shtml

Here’s a sample letter to help you write yours:

Introduce yourself and give a short history about your company.

Give some information about the counterfeit problem in the bridal and prom industry such as;

There are a huge number of websites selling counterfeit prom and wedding dresses directly to consumers. These website companies display copyrighted photos of the original designers on their websites. They then list the gowns at 50-70% off the retail price of the originals. How if affects the consumer:

Many consumers are unaware that they are buying from a counterfeit site. IF the consumer receives the dress they ordered, many times it does not look like the original design and is made of cheap materials and poor construction.

Explain how your own business has been affected. (or stores who are your customers)

Give examples of customers ordering from these websites and what their experience has been.

Give some information about our effort: Congress has dealt with this intellectual deception before in other fields and has requested U.S. Customs to be more vigilant.

These gowns are being shipped in to the U.S. as “samples” to avoid paying duties and customs fees.

UPS and FedEx have been contacted and are aware of this problem.

–A large number of the major bridal and prom stores and US wholesalers who own the copyrighted dress designs are banding together in an effort to fight for the bridal and prom industry against these knock off companies.

–Here are few of the websites who are selling counterfeit gowns.

www.LightintheBox.com
www.milanoo.com
www.soobest.com
www.mltailor.com
www.tradeage.com
www.chinapowerseller.com
www.bridalgownsonsale.com
www.bigdaydress.net
www.amazing-prom.com
www.celeb16.com
www.discount-dress.com

Ask your official to act quickly as many American jobs depend on our industry. You can include the number of employees you have.

A closing that includes your name, you company name, address and other contact information.

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, General News, Ongoing Story Investigation, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Finally Some American Manufacturing Jobs Coming Back Home

Posted on November 9, 2011 Written by 5 Comments

 

By Paul Pannone

By now everyone is aware one of the key ingredients that keeps our economy from a rebound is unemployment; loss of jobs and the inability to create enough jobs for American workers keeps the current national unemployment rate at about 9%.

 

eWedNewz watches the possibility of some production lost to China could be returning home.

 

Results of an ongoing eWedNewz investigation involving manufacturing companies cites the laziness of American workers, higher wage expectations and the need to keep prices competitive by leveraging the lower cost of foreign workers. But with higher unemployment comes lower spending that also inhibits the growth of the economy that has slowed to 1.3 percent, according to the latest figures; not nearly enough to lead to a full-blown recovery.

“It’s going to take a concerted effort to bring back jobs to this country and stimulate growth in order for us to come out of the nose-dive we’ve been in,” according to wedding analyst, Christine Boulton. In her story involving a glimmer of hope regarding manufacturing in America she writes,”I saw one report on NBC about a small lamp manufacturer that had been manufacturing in China. Now he is bringing half of his jobs back home.”

Boulton told eWedNewz she was encouraged by some of the reports that pointed to some manufacturers waking up and getting our own people employed rather than helping to build foreign countries’ labor forces and economy.

In the ongoing investigation the following encouraging information from a WWD story says;

” With recent upheavals in the economy — ranging from faster speed to market to retailers’ antipathy toward holding inventory — denim companies like Seven have been bringing production closer to home in the past year. If they’re not overseeing manufacturing under their own roof, then they’re migrating certain processes to Los Angeles-based contractors from overseas facilities.”

 In a recent trip to China, Steve Lang, owner of Mon Cheri, gave a negative outlook to production in China. In a condensed statement Lang cites troubles with monetary policies.

“The exchange rate to the dollar used to be 8 Yuan (Remimbi as it is also called) for each US greenback. It is now under 6.5 and will be 6 by December. It could fall as low as 5.5 before the Yuan stops appreciating. The US Government is pushing this issue threatening trade sanctions if the Chinese do not allow the Yuan to appreciate against the dollar more. The US wants the imports from China to slow. The theory is that production will come back to the US; the theory.”

In Chicago Lang and Mon Cheri walked away with three DEBI awards this year. eWedNewz asked Lang if there was a chance to bring back some production to the United States. He said it’s not likely, having invested heavily in his Chinese manufacturing systems over the past five-years.

eWedNewz is meeting with other manufacturing companies that say there is a good chance of bringing some production to the states, agreeing with all the reasons Lang prescribed in his analysis. The difference some say rests with growing concerns on total dependency of off-shore production. Some manufacturers say they’re exploring faster turnaround time for products in key times of their season.

eWedNewz continues our investigation and welcomes your thoughts.

 

 

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2011

 

Filed Under: Bridal Dresses, Current Events, Economic news, eWedNewz, facts and figures, General News, Research, wedding industry Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

China Loses Luster as Manufacturing Master

Posted on May 16, 2011 Written by 6 Comments

By Paul Pannone

China is still growing as a world power but at a slower pace, according to recent information from Bloomberg. Changes in currency policy among other factors result in higher cost of doing business in China and may cause manufacturers to eventually seek new sourcing for goods. Steve Lang of Mon Cheri visited China this month and gives his view of what’s happening there. Lang is a successful business man who leveraged the production advantages but now see things changing.

Lang posted this information to his supporters through his bridal support channel during his trip. In his own words he states:  

“You are owed an explanation as to what to expect from China and how it will affect all manufacturers and all retailers regardless of industry that make product there. I will do my best to explain. Labor shortage will be an issue; it’s hard to believe in a country of 1.4 billion people but there is a shortage of labor that want to work in tough industries like clothing and other labor intensive jobs. The country will eventually eliminate the one-child policy to alleviate this issue. This will make lead times longer, it will force manufacturers to offer less custom services and it will make it more difficulty to get heavily beaded garments made quickly. The exchange rate to the dollar used to be 8 Yuan (Remimbi as it is also called) for each US greenback. It is now under 6.5 and will be 6 by December. It could fall as low as 5.5 before the Yuan stops appreciating. The US Government is pushing this issue threatening trade sanctions if the Chinese do not allow the Yuan to appreciate against the dollar more. The US wants the imports from China to slow. The theory is that production will come back to the US; the theory , that is.

The implications for you are to not expect as many rushes and heavy changes to be accommodated as before. Costs for these services will rise. All manufacturers will see this happening in terms of factories pushing them to stop doing these types of things as a rule and do it more as an exception. When they are done, there will be more errors as workers do not want to do this type of work,” according to Lang

Lang and other off-shore manufacturers we’re speaking with say they are exploring production in the United States. Most say because of the humbling effects of the recession, higher unemployment and less demands from unions the possibility to produce in the US have gotten better. But most say rising taxes and energy costs have eaten away at that possibility and still find it difficult to prove start-up costs and cost of doing business in the US are worth the effort.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, General News, retail, Uncategorized, wedding industry Tagged: , , , ,